Peter Walters Research Councils UK Fellow – Rapid Prototyping

Ceramic 3D Printing: A Design Case Study

Personal background: Industrial design and rapid prototyping: visual and functional prototypes.

UWE CFPR Research Fellow: Rapid Prototyping

Applications for new 3D technologies in the visual arts

SoundPrint 1 (2008) Katie Davies and Peter Walters

Richard Hamilton, designs for ‘Hutton Award’ ‘Medals Of Dishonour’ exhibition at the British Museum, 2009

British Art Medal Trust

UWE CFPR Research Fellow: Rapid Prototyping

Applications for new 3D technologies in the visual arts

Trumpet Tiles and Trumpet Spheres (2009) Peter Walters. Form and Colour Studies – Z-Corp 3D Prints

Confession

Confession

No prior experience in ceramics

Double-walled cup with pierced outer wall. Internal ribs. Handle passes through outer wall.

Double-walled beaker with pierced outer wall

3D printed concept models in standard Z-corp material

First attempt at firing beaker

Add internal support for firing

Better but still significant distortion. Support also slumps in firing.

Add larger internal ribs around holes. Better but slight distortion still present.

Stretch holes to compensate for distortion.

Stretch holes to compensate for distortion. Unfired test piece.

Test pieces following firing in kiln.

Successful test piece. Biscuit fired.

Successful test piece. White opaque glaze.

Image credit: MarcusObal 2008. Wikimedia Commons

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence.

Coffee cup in the Italian Style.

Image credit Cigoli (1559-1613) Brunelleschi’s Dome, elcontexto.net

Brunelleschi’s Dome.

Dealing with similar problem – support during construction?

See Ross King Brunelleschi’s Dome Chatto and Windus/Random House (2000)

3D printed concept models in standard Z-corp material

Saucer gives perimeter support during firing. Plus internal support block.

Early prototype test firing. Circular handle hole is distorted.

Stretch design to compensate for distortion in firing.

Successful test piece. Biscuit fired.

Successful test piece. Opaque white glazed.

Conclusions

Conclusions

3D printing ceramics

Just press print?

Conclusions

3D printing ceramics

Just press print?

Requires iterative approach – we’re still learning

Conclusions

3D printing ceramics

Just press print?

Requires iterative approach – we’re still learning

and a hands-on understanding of materials

Thank you!

Peter2.Walters@uwe.ac.uk